Chapter 3

Bon-Bon continued dragging me through the streets of Ponyville, an eternal snarl etched onto her face. I had to admit, I was very frightened as to what she could do to me. If her strength was any indication, she could probably crumble me up like a piece of tissue and stomp me to dust. that was an outcome I'd like to avoid if at all possible.

"Alright," Bon-Bon finally said with an angry growl. "First stop is Carousel Boutique. You aren't wearing those clothes after I saw what Lyra got this morning. No, you're going to look like a high end Canterlot Noble by the time Rarity's done with you!"

I could only nod as I was dragged through the front entrance of the store, the bell above the door letting out a little jingle at our entrance. I expected to see Rarity come to greet us, but what we got was pretty much a mini version of her. This unicorn had to only be up to my lower calves. Her mane and tail were pink and light purple, also a bit curly too. Her eyes were a vibrant green, and she had an adorable smile on her face as she spoke.

"Oh! Hiya, miss Bon-Bon! What can we do for you today?" She asked in such a cute voice, I couldn't help but smile. Bon-Bon turned to me and snarled, causing me to crease my lips and shrink back for fear of a beating.

"Well, we need your sister to make this sorry excuse for a being look good tonight for his date. You mind getting her, Sweetie Belle?" Bon-Bon asked, tightening her grip around my wrist to the point of painful.

"Well, alright. SIS! YOU GOT CUSTOMERS!" The little filly shouted. A few seconds passed before Rarity came trotting down the stairs, surprise evident on her face when she saw me, although that gave way to a knowing grimace when she saw Bon-Bon latched around my wrist like a bear trap.

"Oh, hello, Mason. Bon-Bon... I take it you're here about suitable clothing for him tonight on his date with Lyra?" She ventured. Bon-Bon nodded and threw me forward, causing me to almost land on Rarity. Luckily, I caught myself before I hit her.

"Good guess. Make him a suit that would put the royals to shame. If he doesn't look like a true gentlecolt tonight for Lyra, I'll bury him where they can never find the body." She threatened, although I knew this one was a promise too... That look in her eyes was just... horrible.

Rarity seemed to almost pale as she lightly guided me to the back room. "A-Alright, well... Come along, Mason. Will get you looking like a true... noble..." Rarity said, seemingly almost as scared of Bon-Bon as I was. It wasn't hard to be scared of this freaking mare. She was a raging nut job!

Rarity shut the door to the back room and gave me a look of sheer shock. "Darling! How could you let Bon-Bon find out about this?! She cares for Lyra like a sister!" She was whispering harshly at me, like all this was my freaking fault!

"Hey, she lives with Lyra!" I hissed back. "Did you ever think it was her who spilled the beans about this?!" It was at that that Rarity conceded the argument, letting out a small huff as she began to take my bodies measurements.

"Well, now you can't have any second thoughts! If you hurt Lyra, she'll hurt you." She warned me, even though I already knew that. She began running her tape measure along my body as she simultaneously wrote down the measurements on a clipboard.

"I know that." I sighed heavily, getting her to pout mockingly at me. "Look, I- I don't know what to do, but I'll think of something, alright?" I assured her, or maybe I was assuring myself at that point, I didn't know. I was scared shitless now over this entire out of control situation.

It only took Rarity a few moments to to pull out the materials and start designing my new look. "Well, even if you're scared, you're going to look good being scared." She huffed, changing the subject. "I have a few ideas in mind for your suit, which will send a nice message to Lyra. I was thinking a mint green silk vest underneath your tux, with Lyre cuff links. What do you think?"

"Whoa, whoa whoa. Hold on a minute!" I said, quickly walking forward. "Am I supposed to be parading her colors and mark around like a freaking billboard?!" I asked incredulously.

Rarity simply let out a snicker as she continued cutting the delicate fabric. "You obviously don't know how it works around here, do you? Wearing the colors of your mate is-"

"MATE?!" I shrieked, covering my mouth after realizing how loud I was, only to hiss it out again quieter. "Let me make it clear; Lyra is not my mate! Jesus! What the hell, Rarity?!" I snarled, scrunching up my face at the thought of it. I had needs, but I'd cross that bridge when I got to it.

"Okay, calm down, Mason! Look, it was a poor choice of words. Wearing the colors of your date shows signs of affection. You're Lyra's friend, and as long as you show that, she'll be more than happy. Trust me on this, alright?"

Rarity had a point. She did know more about this worlds customs than I did, since I've only been here for little over two months... I guess I would just have to trust her judgement on the matter and roll with this. Although, showing signs that Lyra and I were 'mates' just made me feel a teeny bit uncomfortable. Scratch that, it made me feel a whole new level of uncomfortable. Well, I had no choice but to go through with this. With a friends feelings on the line and my own well being hanging by a thread in Bon-Bon's hooves, I had to go through with this date and make Lyra happy...

No matter what...

Rarity kept me as far away from Bon-Bon as she could, which I had to thank her for immensely. The suit she made, which only took about two hours, was spectacular! The coloring, the stitching, and the feel of it just made me feel like a high class man. I gazed at myself in the new digs in the full body mirror, letting out a whistle.

"Damn, I look good! How much do I owe you?" I asked, smiling at the mare who made the greatest suit a man has ever worn.

Rarity simply giggled. "Darling, this one is on the house. I mean, Bon-Bon did force you into this... Anyway, think of it as a welcome to Ponyville gift." Rarity began to straighten out my suit with her magic as she placed the lyre cuff links on my cuffs. "There. Now it's perfect. Oh, darling I wish you so much luck tonight. No matter the outcome, just remember that you can't let other ponies force you into something you're not comfortable with... Except Bon-Bon... She might actually kill you tonight." Rarity let out a small, hollow giggle as she braced herself and opened the back room door.

Bon-Bon was sitting on one of the waiting benches, reading one of Rarity's fashion magazines. When she looked up, she saw me in my tux for the evening, and she looked damn impressed. It was a nice look; way better than bat shit crazy...

"Wow. I gotta say, you cleaned him up good, Rarity!" Bon-Bon gawked a bit, coming over to where we were standing. Once she was a good foot away, she began circling me like a shark would a wounded seal. She sized up everything about my appearance; my suit, shoes, color patterns, hair.

"Well, that's good enough, I suppose." She sighed, making Rairty's right eye twitch at the comment. All her hard work for the day, labeled as, 'good enough'. I had to admit, that comment made me a bit upset, too. Rarity did a fine job, and I think I looked damn freaking good! Bon-Bon ignored Rarity and glared up at me. "Now, it's seven o'clock, and I want you to head over to my house. Lyra's waiting so eagerly for your arrival. I have an errand to run, so you can get yourself there."

I gulped and nodded. "Yeah, but I don't know where you live. How am I supposed to get there?" I asked, dreading this moment. It was going to be so awkward, seeing Lyra so dolled up for someone who probably can't be with her... My stomach was in loops over the situation, and my brain screamed different feelings and thoughts about the matter, trying to overwhelm the other. I had only two choices, and none of them were easy in the slightest.

Rarity spoke up for me, guiding me towards the exit. "Not to worry, dear. I'll take you there. Bon-Bon, I trust you can show yourself out?" Rarity asked, opening the front door and ushering me outside.

Bon-Bon nodded and followed us out. "Yeah, I'm right behind you. See you at dinner tonight, and you bring any of this up to Lyra, I will cut you!" She hissed to me, quickly making off into Ponyville.

I grunted in anger as I followed Rarity's lead. "Man, she's a bit of a bitch, isn't she?" I asked, making Rarity gasp.

"Darling! Such foul language! But... yes, Bon-Bon can have her moments... It's because she cares deeply for Lyra and doesn't wish to see her hurt. Those two are best friends and the last thing she wants to see is Lyra crushed. Mostly by you."

I rubbed my brow and let out a long breath. "And why does it matter if it's by me?" I asked, wanting to know what made me so special. I kind of wished I didn't ask at all to be honest...

Rarity coughed awkwardly and began to blush. "Well, as you know, Lyra has a 'fascination' with your kind. Well, that's putting it lightly... Obsession would be more accurate. Let's just say, she really likes humans."

I grimaced at that, but let out a chuckle to help alleviate my apprehension. "I don't need to carry around mace to keep her off of me, do I?" I joked, hoping to get Rarity to laugh with me. She didn't...

"Well, it wouldn't hurt, but don't worry. She'll restrain herself, alright?" Rarity stopped us in the middle of the street and pointed to one of the houses at the end of the block. "Now, that's Lyra's home. You're early, but she'll take that as a good sign. I want you to behave like a gentlecolt and show her a wonderful evening, alright?"

I rolled my eyes and nodded. "Okay, mom." I mocked, making Rarity giggle. I had to admit, it calmed me down a bit about this. Maybe the whole ordeal wouldn't be so bad. I mean....

Eh, I had nothing.

Rarity said her goodbyes and trotted back to her home, leaving me alone to approach Lyra's home. I felt a knot slowly forming in my throat the closer I got to that doorstep. My heart was racing, my palms were sweaty, my body was shaking, and I probably was going to piss myself. Good excuse to get out of this, right?

Right?!

"Look out below!!"

I looked up just in time to see a rainbow blur plow straight into my chest, sending me tumbling about ten feet backwards against the hard gravel road. Well, so much for keeping appearances... My suit must be ruined. What the hell even hit me, anyways?

I looked up to see a light blue mare laying across my chest, groaning lightly as she sat up. She looked at me and began to chuckle nervously. "Ehehehe... Sorry 'bout that. I was practicing a new move and, well, I need more practice." She climbed off my chest and helped me to my feet, eyeing me up and down. "Hey, I know you! You're that human guy everypony's been talking about! The one going to take Lyra to the stables tonight, if you know what I mean." She winked at me, making my face turn a beat red as I buried it in my hands.

"Goddamn it! How does everyone know about this!?" I groaned. The rainbow haired mare began to laugh as she began brushing the dirt off my suit with her wings.

"Heh, don't sweat it, big guy. This town is small, and news travels almost as fast as me. Name's Rainbow Dash by the way. What about you?"

"Mason." I said sighing, sticking out my hand for her to shake. She looked at it a bit oddly before clenching my fingers into a fist and bumping my knuckles. "Ah, makes sense since you don't have fingers..." I chuckled.

Rainbow grinned and fluttered up to my face. "Yeah, well, after tonight with Lyra, you might not have them either." She said sinisterly, laughing hysterically when my face turned a shade of white. "Oh! Oh Celestia, you should see your face!" She whaled, falling to the ground in fits of laughter.

Once her laughter subsided, she got back to her hooves and took to the air. "Listen, I'm just messing with you. Have a good time tonight, alright? I'll see you around!" She yelled, rocketing into the sky and leaving a trail of rainbow behind her. I watched her leave and sighed, getting back to my ultimate mission of making it to Lyra's front door. It was probably already time to be there anyways, so I might as well be on time than late.

I stood on her porch and made sure everything was all set. Suit? Check. Cuff links? Check. Box in my pocket? Wait... Box in my pocket?

I reached into my tux pocket and, sure enough, there was a small box sitting inside. I was certain this wasn't in there when I put the thing on. I opened it up, and inside was a large, white rose bud with a little bit of stem. Underneath that was a card, which I curiously opened.

Hey dummy!

I heard you didn't get a flower for your mate! What's wrong with you? Lucky for you, I got you covered because you're apparently dense when it comes to winning a mare. You're welcome.

-Rainbow Dash

Before I even had to time to register what the hell I just read, I heard the creaking of wood behind me. I turned around quickly to see Lyra standing there in... Oh dear God, she actually looked... Wow was the only word I could use to describe her appearance.

The porch light shone on Lyra, revealing how much she had prepared for this date. Her mane had some glitter sprinkled about, giving it a shining appearance in the light. It was also curled slightly at the ends, giving it a flowing look. Her dress was radiant, having quite the old world charm to it, but maintained her mint and white coloring to accentuate her better. Her eyes had a layer of light blue eyeliner, and her eyelashes were crimped, giving them a... god, the only way to describe it was a sultry look. She stared at me as well, her eyes trailing up and down my figure to size up just how much I had gotten ready for this date. I guess she didn't expect me to get dressed so spiffy tonight. She blushed slightly and gave me a very warm smile.

"Well, hello, Mason. It's lovely to see you. You look... cute..." She said shyly, kicking her front hoof at the ground. I smiled and tried to not look absolutely shocked by her. She was a stunner when she wanted to be, and that feeling sent my stomach through another series of acrobatics.

"I-I... So do you." I said, still genuinely shocked at how good she actually looked to me. "Oh, and here. I... guess this is for you?" I said unsure, presenting her the white rose.

Lyra gasped and her eyes began to shimmer as she looked up at me. "Oh! I-It's... breathtaking! Here!" She said, moving her hair aside around her ear. I guess I was supposed to put it on her or something, so that's what I did. Once the rose was tucked behind her ear, she pulled out something from inside the house, just on the other side of the door.

"I... um, didn't know that you would accept." She stuttered, her face on permanent red basis. "But, I got this for you, too, in the hopes that, you know, wanted to..." I didn't know what she meant, but I took the present she offered. Opening it up revealed two things;

One of them was a small necklace with a golden gem on the end. Engraved in the gem was a Lyre, raised with silver. The strings of the silver harped instrument spelled out an 'M' and an 'L'.

The second gift was a painting, which Lyra had done herself. It was of me, laying against the oak tree just outside of my house. Lyra and I would hang around there countless times when I was taking a break from construction. The image on the painting brought the memory back to me. It was the day that I had fallen asleep against the tree with Lyra, and the day I considered Lyra to be the best friend I ever had. I remember waking up, with the sun halfway set on the horizon. Lyra was still sound asleep against my thigh, smiling so sweetly in her sleep. I had never been that close with a girl before, and since Lyra was a mare, I thought absolutely nothing of it. Now, seeing the painting of that day before me, made by the mare who saw me as so much more than what I felt, I had to reevaluate just how much I meant to her.

"Do you... like your gifts?" Lyra asked shyly, still pawing at the ground as she looked up at me with apprehension. I just smiled and nodded quickly, turning to show Lyra the sincerity on my face at just how amazing these gifts really were.

"I love them! Lyra, you didn't have to get me anything!" I tisked, making her blush harder. To see Lyra suddenly so flustered around me was odd, but it did cement the fact in my mind that, if I made the decision to stay friends, it would crush her heart. Just seeing her like this; it was too cruel to take it away. But it was also cruel to play her...

Lyra was fighting back the giggles as she spoke. "Well, I-I didn't know if you'd say yes to this for sure, and I certainly didn't expect the flower! I was only going to give you the painting if that was the case." She said, looking a bit sad at that. I didn't know what she meant, seeing as how the painting, in my eyes, was the more romantic, but I just played it off and gave her a pat on the cheek.

"Well, do you mind if I come in?" I asked, putting the vile of gold around my neck. In doing so, this got Lyra to smile so wide, I thought her grin would rip her cheeks open.

"Yes! Yes, come in, Mason! And make yourself right at home." She insisted, stepping aside. Never one to be rude to my host, I obliged, nodding to her as I entered her home.

Author's Note

Read this over as best I could for mistakes, but I wanna get this out nice and quick like. Since I woke up early this morning, IE, 6:30, I will try to be writing as much as possible today, in multiple stories at that. So, I'll probably have another chapter or two up before I have to go to work at 5:30. see y'all later! :)